Only Christmas

“I have a note I was going to show you from my notebook. So you know I’m not trying to steal.”

“Trying to steal?” A chuckle leaves me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone say that before in my life, and I’ve heard a lot of bullshit. But she’s not bullshitting me. She’s dead serious.

“I’ll show you,” she whispers, licking her lips and drawing my attention there.

All of her features are small and delicate like the rest of her. From her small button nose to the sprinkle of freckles on her cheeks. Except her lips. She has a mouth women pay to have. To be honest, I’d pay to have her. I’m finding I’d do a lot of things out of the ordinary when it comes to her.

“Go.” I release my hold on her before I do something really fucking stupid.

I can’t believe I even thought that. As I watch her run away from me, I find I don’t actually care if I do something stupid. It might be worth it.

I start to follow after her, wanting to make sure she doesn’t try to escape when the doorbell sounds, saving her. I let her retreat back into the bedroom while I open the door to the room service I’d ordered.

Marco is there as well with one of the security guards that has Aspen’s belongings from the locker she has here. She actually had a few of them stuffed full of all her belongings. Going through the bag, I see it’s not much. It’s getting harder and harder to control my anger. The problem is there is no one to actually direct it at.

“You’ve lost your mind,” Marco says as he walks past me. I ignore him because he’s right. What else is there to say? I have indeed lost it, but I’m not going back at this point. I’ve already made my mind up and formed a plan.

“Food on the table,” I tell the gentleman with the room service cart before I direct my attention back to Marco and Aspen’s bag. “You said I should get a fake girlfriend,” I remind him. “This was your idea.”

“Don’t even.” He shakes his head. “I meant a professional.”

“I want her.” Saying the words out loud feels good. I’ve made it clear what I’m about to do.

“Don’t do this, man.” He steps closer, trying to make sure no one else can hear us. This could blow up in my face, but I just can’t find the will to care.

“I want her,” I say again. I use the tone I always use when my decision is final. Marco knows me well enough to know that there will be no persuading me otherwise.

“Fuck me,” he mutters under his breath. I can be obsessive about things. It’s never been about a person before, but here we are. “All right, let me at least draw up some paperwork.”

“Paperwork? I’m trying not to freak her the hell out.” She’s skittish as it is. Not only that she’s homeless. That means she could disappear on me. There would be no way of me tracking her down. My chest tightens, panic forming inside of me. The hell?

I never panic. Not even when I’m making million-dollar deals. I’m always calm, cool, and collected. What is this girl doing to me? Maybe I should send her on her way. Try to forget her. As soon as the thought enters my mind, I push it out. That’s not happening. If anything, I need to work her out of my system. That too sounds like bullshit, but if that’s what it takes to convince myself, I’ll buy my own lies. I’ll do anything if it means she is staying for now.

“At the very least we need a non-disclosure. You’re clearly not thinking straight, and it’s my job to make sure you’re protected. Maybe we should have her sign a contract of some kind. I’m not sure I need to dig around to see what’s out there. I also need to dig on her. We don’t know anything about her.”

“Enough,” I order when Aspen comes strolling back into the room. Her eyes grow wide once again, bouncing between all the food I ordered and her belongings being here. Her face starts to flush a pretty pink.

“Out!” I bark. A surge of jealousy fills me that everyone is seeing her blush and only in a robe. There is seriously something wrong with me. “Not you. You’re not going anywhere,” I growl before she can try to take off on me again. Even if it is only to the other room. I don't like it.

“I know.” Her teeth sink into her bottom lip. I quickly realize there isn’t going to be any getting her out of my system. Each second I’m with her, I only want her more.

I’m utterly fucked, and I really don’t give a shit. For once, I’m not dreading Christmas. Not if it gives me her.